State representative Joe Brennan could tell you all about political consultant Tom "Scissorhands" Severson. When Joe first ran for the state house in 2006, he was the victim of a smear campaign orchestrated by Severson, the undisputed King of Sleazeball Politics.It backfired.
Well, instead of telling us, Joe's talking to a grand jury. His name is on a list of witnesses appearing before a statewide panel in Norristown. Severson is currently facing terroristic threats, simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment charges in Northampton County court as a result of his threatening behavior during a funeral mass last December. But those are the least of his problems. It appears the state AG has impaneled a grand jury and has launched a wide investigation into campaign law violations.
In addition to Joe Brennan, the statewide grand jury has subpoenaed Jose Rosado (former candidate for state house and Bethlehem educator); Northampton County Controller Steve Barron (who until his election was treasurer to the Northampton County Democratic Party); Democratic party activist Pat Vulcano (whose mailing permit was used by Severson for an anonymous smear campaign last year); a former employee who was threatened by Severson with a switchblade; and the operators of MJR Services, Inc., a New Jersey corporation that Severson used to masquerade some of his work for Democrats.
Witnesses have already testified in Norristown at least once, on May 23. Severson usually operates under the corporate umbrella of Precision Marketing, Inc., where he is listed as company prez. Between 2000 and 2007, this company has collected $9.9 million from candidates seeking state offices in Pa. It is believed Severson is probably the state's biggest political consultant.
Time to shut this dude down.
ReplyDeleteVulcano seems neck deep in a lot of shady crap lately. He's like the Forrest Gump of dirty local politics.
ReplyDeleteMorganelli. Morganelli. Morganelli.
ReplyDeletewhat is it about valley political consultans? they all seem to flame and foster grand juries.
ReplyDeleteLet's see Brennan/Rosado more than two years old. That's a statute of limitations problem or in other words the AG is shit out of luck. If Severson did the Monaghan mail, the AG is out of business there b/c the Supreme Court ruled anonymous political speech is protected and the PAAG has followed that case for more than ten years. As they say, theres no there there . . .
ReplyDeleteAnon 8:33 is a real legal eagle... Doesen't the saying go " Don't know shit from shine ole! Better bone up dude.
ReplyDeleteAnon 8:33,
ReplyDeleteGee, thanks for the criminal law lesson. But perhaps you should also tell the class about a continuing violation, and the s/l does not run there. Also, as was explained to DA Morganelli, there are numerous possible election law violations having nothing to do with free speech.
When i first reported that Severson had idsrupoted a funeral, I was called a liar. When the paper reported it, we were told it was just silliness. When the AG decided to charge Seversonb, i was told i was lying again.
Now that I've reported a statewide grand jury, we're being told there's no there there. Looks to me like the AG has a different opinion.
Yes, you go get em Agent Boonie. BTW, do you ever check up on the family you devasted by not timely filing their lawsuit.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I did learn in law school is that if the facts and law are against you, just abuse your opponent. Of course, it's irrelevant, but it might throw him off his game. As you may have noticed, you haven't thrown me off my game.
ReplyDeleteWhy rearrange the deck chairs, when the ship's sinking? John M. better get in the last liferaft and disembark this shipwreck before he finds himself drowning.
ReplyDeleteBOH scoops the papers again.
ReplyDelete